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Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Back in January I talked about updates we have made to XLLs.  We will soon be publishing an extensive article on MSDN which will cover Excel 2007 features that affect XLL add-ins and enable new XLL functionality, as well as changes to the XLL C API itself.  The article was written by Steve Dalton (author of Excel Add-in Development in C/C++: Applications in Finance).

Today I’d like to give you a preview of this very useful document - you can find the document on MSDN here.  Also, if you want to experiment with XLLs in the most recent beta, it will be useful to have xlcall.h and xlcall32.lib … send me an email using the “email” link on the top left of the page if you would like me to send you a copy of these files.

Published Tuesday, September 19, 2006 2:14 PM by David Gainer
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Comments

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 8:54 PM by A User
I assume you do not mean to say this can be done "IN Excel" itself, and developing XLLs "FOR Excel" still needs do be done IN a different programming environment, as with the User [sic.] Defined Functions.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:21 PM by David Gainer
Yes, that's what I meant.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 11:47 PM by sam
David... a bit off topic...

Up to XP you let us develop COM addins "inside" Excel with Office Developer Edition....

So why did this feature discontinue in 2003 upwards ?....why do we have to buy a host of other programs to do the same thing

Sam

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 1:23 AM by David Gainer
Sam - I actually have no insight into that particular decision I am afraid.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 4:50 AM by John Greenan
I know I have asked before, but could we please please please have a roadmap for third party developers???

Go ahead, make my day!

Thanks.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 5:55 AM by John Drummond
Its really great to get some active support for XLL's, really great, much appreciated, keep it coming.
What would also be great is more documentation on custom menus for the ribbon bar.  I've read the articles and done the XLM zip file thing, but it's a little fiddly to say the least and I get the feeling that there's lots of ribbon settings that aren't documented yet.  Regards.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 11:35 AM by TSS - Daniel
Gentlemen:

A curiosity: why to develop XLLs when there are available Shared COM Add-ins?

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 3:26 PM by Alan Barasch
I guess this means that all the cool add-ins for Excel 2003 will have to be completely re-written.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 3:43 PM by David Gainer
John G - I will see what I can do at some point.  If you have specific areas of interest (i.e. UDFs, UI, etc.), please let me know.

John Drummond - have you checked out the UI blog?  I know they continue to put stuff up, and I will let you know if things appear on MSDN.  There was also some posts on http://www.dicks-blog.com/.  Finally, if you have more ideas for XLLs, send me mail.

Alan - no, every XLL that worked in XL2003 or earlier should work without change in XL2007.  If you see stuff that is not working, please let me know.

# re: Developing XLLs in Excel 2007

Thursday, September 21, 2006 3:49 PM by Alan Barasch
Oops! It is not an XLL -- the "MSNStockQuote.dll" does not work.

Seen several guys complaining on forums about it.

# Back Already - Updated XLL Paper on MSDN

Thursday, October 05, 2006 1:48 AM by Microsoft Excel 2007 (nee Excel 12)

On September 19 I announced Steve Dalton's article on Developing XLLs in Excel 2007 , and posted a draft.

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